Press Release

DURHAM, N.C. -- USA Baseball announced four members of its on-field coaching staff that will assist Manager Buck Martinez with the United States team competing in the first ever World Baseball Classic in March, 2006. The coaches include:

Davey Johnson: Serving on his third consecutive professional USA Baseball coaching staff, following a pair of stints as the Team USA manager at both the 2005 IBAF World Cup, and the 2005 CONCEBE Regional Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Phoenix, AZ, where he led the Americans to a perfect 5-0 record. Johnson has a career record of 1,148-888 (.564) in 14 Major League seasons as a manager with the New York Mets (1984-90), Cincinnati Reds (1993-95), Baltimore Orioles (1996-97) and Los Angeles Dodgers (1999-2000). He was named the 1997 American League Manager of the Year after leading the Orioles to the A.L. East Division title. As a player, he collected three Gold Glove Awards and was a four-time All-Star second baseman over 13 seasons with the Orioles, Braves, Phillies, and Cubs.

Reggie Smith: Returns to USA Baseball for his third tour of duty. He was the hitting coach for both the 1999 USA Baseball Pan Am Team (Silver medal) in Winnipeg, Canada, and the 2000 USA Baseball Olympic Team (Gold medal) in Sydney, Australia. Smith played 17 seasons in the Major Leagues and was a seven-time All-Star with the Red Sox, Cardinals, Dodgers, and Giants.

Marcel Lachemann: Returns for his third stint with USA Baseball as well. He was the pitching coach for the 1999 USA Baseball Pan Am Team (Silver medal) in Winnipeg, Canada, and recently held the same position for the 2005 USA Baseball CONCEBE Regional Olympic Qualifying Team, under Johnson. He is currently a Special Assistant to the GM with the Colorado Rockies.

Ken Griffey Sr.: Currently a Special Consultant to the GM for the Cincinnati Reds. A lifetime .296 hitter over 19 Major League seasons with the Reds, Yankees, Braves & Mariners. He was a three-time All-Star and the MVP of the 1980 All-Star Game. This will be his first USA Baseball coaching experience.